Fractalized

Chapter 12
 

“For those of you who are new to our little gallery,” Sidney said as he dramatically waved his hand around. “I am Sidney Bloom, and I welcome you to the launching of Justin Taylor’s “Seasons!” The family and honored guests, which included several art critics and representatives from galleries all over the world, began to applaud.

“Over the next week in two day intervals we will reveal another season, starting tonight with Winter. On Saturday the 30th, all four Seasons will be available for viewing. We hope you’ll all be there to celebrate with us.”

Another round of applause was heard.

“So without further ado, the Sidney Bloom Gallery is proud to present, “Winter!”

The lights dimmed, as several of Emmett’s minions who were doing double duty that night, gently removed the coverings off of the Winter portion of the display. Sidney snapped his fingers, the displays began to slowly revolve allowing the gathered audience unobstructed views of the breathtaking Winterscapes. The lights were raised with special spotlights focused on each painting.

A collective gasp was heard running through the audience and then the building of applause. Photographers from several magazines and newspapers began flocking closer to take pictures as their counterparts, the reporters, began to vie for Justin’s attention.

Justin momentarily tightened his grip on Brian’s hand as the surge of people around him threw him into a slight panic.

“You’ve done this dozens of times before; this is nothing new. Just remember, they’re here for you, Sunshine. Take your time and do ‘em one at a time. We don’t do orgies anymore,” Brian said into Justin’s ear. He kissed Justin’s temple then stepped aside to join the rest of the family, leaving Justin to shine in his own light.

As Justin gave interviews, Brian wandered closer to the buffet table where John and the rest of the Edna’s Treasures residents were hovering.

“Sidney was beginning to worry,” John commented as he handed Brian a glass of champagne.

“Why, did he think I was doing Justin in the alley?”

“Something like that,” John replied.

“We knew better,” Jennifer said as she drew closer, hearing what was said. “Was Justin that nervous?”

“Yes, this show feels different to him and he’s been concentrating on another project as well. It’s been a bit overwhelming for him lately,” Brian confided.

“Hi, hi, hi!” Emmett said as he approached the group with a tray of Brian’s favorite canapés, passing the delicious morsels under Brian’s nose. Swiftly Brian grabbed one to scarf down.

“Smooth move, kiddo,” Debbie commented as she pushed her way through the crowd then snatched her own treat.

“You too, Deb,” Brian drawled. The family stood huddled together, laughing and kibitzing as they proudly watched their Sunshine.

 

*****
 

“Justin, darling, how are you?” Sarah Kingsley gushed as she approached the now beaming artist.

After his initial trepidation when he and Brian entered the gallery, Justin had finally started to relax. The reaction when everyone saw his Winter paintings had been very gratifying. The people attending the opening had received his new works warmly, even enthusiastically. Maybe Brian, had been right to tell him not to worry.

“Mrs. Kingsley,” Justin replied shaking her outstretched hand. “Nice to see you again.”

“My, yes, it has been far too long since I last saw you,” Sarah said loudly letting anyone within earshot know that she knew Justin Taylor. “And remember, you promised to call me Sarah.”

“Ah, Sarah, of course,” Justin said graciously. “I hope you’re enjoying the show.”

“It’s mahhhhvelous,” she said dramatically. Justin did his best not to snicker.

“Justin,” Owen Brenner Sr. interrupted, “I actually recognize a few moments from our adventures last Christmas in your paintings.”

“That was quite the few days,” Justin laughed. “Sharon, good to see you too.” He took Sharon Brenner’s hand and squeezed it warmly.

“You look very handsome tonight, Justin, and so does that husband of yours.” She winked at Justin. “And your show is quite magnificent. We’ll have to come back every couple of nights to see the seasons change.” She chuckled at her little bon mot.

Justin smiled warmly at her. He had learned to like the woman in spite of her early pretensions when they had first met. She came by those honestly, if her mother was any indication. Justin glanced at Sharon’s mother, noting that Sarah’s nose seemed to be out of joint that Justin was spending so much time with her daughter and son-in-law, and not with her.

“You could come to the closing of the opening which will have all the Seasons revealed,” Justin suggested.

“Oh, what a good idea,” Sharon said.

“Thanks for the invite,” Owen smirked. “You just freed up my week.”

“Happy to be of service,” Justin chuckled, as he watched Sharon give her husband a gentle jab to the ribs. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I just saw my father come in. I hope you enjoy the show.”

“Of course,” Owen said quickly, as he led Sharon and her mother away.

Justin watched his father and Susan enter the gallery and look around. He was about to head over to them when he heard Bree.

“Gampa,” the little girl squealed as she bolted across the floor. “Gampa!”

“There’s my princess,” Craig said with a big smile. He was obviously pleased with Bree’s enthusiastic greeting. He squatted down to give the little girl a big hug.

“I don’t see you in forever,” Bree exclaimed.

Susan chuckled. “It hasn’t been quite that long, Bree.”

“Hi, Gamma Susan,” Bree said hugging this one of her many grandmothers. “Can we make cookies … real soon?”

“I’d like nothing better, sweetheart.”

“Have you seen your Daddy’s paintings?” Craig asked the petite girl.

Bree frowned and shook her head. “Too short. Everybody stands in my way,” she pouted. “Gus told me to wait till later.”

“Well, we can remedy that situation right now,” Craig said hoisting her up into his arms and heading over to the revolving easels. Bree giggled and wrapped her arms around Craig’s neck.

“He looks very happy at the moment,” Brian said coming over to his husband. He had watched Bree carefully since Craig’s arrival. He was still wary of the man hurting his daughter, but everything seemed to be fine so far.

“I … I’m glad he came. I wasn’t sure he would,” Justin said. “I called Susan specifically to invite them.”

“He’s here, and I’m happy for you,” Brian said kissing Justin’s temple. “You okay now?”

“I’m great. I don’t know what I was so worried about.”

“Butterflies,” Brian said knowingly. “If you don’t get butterflies before a big presentation, then something’s wrong with you.”

“These felt more like buzzard wings than butterfly wings fluttering in my stomach.”

“It’s all a matter of degree,” Brian chuckled.

“Sounds like you’re speaking from personal experience,” Justin said with a grin.

“Maybe.”

“Did you always get butterflies before a big presentation?” Justin probed.

Brian nodded. “Still do.”

“But no one would ever know.”

“The art of the façade,” Brian said with a smirk.

“And you’re the master.”

“Except where you’re concerned,” Brian admitted.

“I love you, Brian Kinney.”

“That goes without saying,” Brian replied tongue in cheek.

“Asshole,” Justin giggled elbowing him in the ribs.

“See, façade.”

Justin couldn’t help but hug his handsome husband.

 

*****
 

“Who’s the man holding Bree?” Curtis asked Gus. He had watched the girl race across the gallery to the man and woman who had just entered. “Did she call him Gampa?’

“That’s Justin’s father,” Gus explained.

“Oh! This sure is a big family.”

“He has some problems with my Pop, so he’s not around much,” Gus said with a shake of his head.

“Problems with your dad? But why?” Curtis asked in bewilderment. “Your dad does a lot of stuff for people like not pressing charges against me and inviting me to your ‘Closing and Birthday’ party.”

“Pop’s a good guy, but he wasn’t always so…” Gus didn’t quite know how to finish that sentence. “Let’s just say that Pop and Justin’s dad got off on the wrong foot from the very start.” Gus used the explanation that he had always been given about Craig Taylor and his father. He knew there was more to the story, and he knew he would find out all about it one day.

“That’s too bad,” Curtis said. “Somebody should smarten him up.”

Gus snorted. “Believe me, the best of them have tried. Craig Taylor is a hard nut to crack.”

“Does it have to do with your father being gay?” Curtis asked with a frown.

Gus nodded. “Yeah, but that’s only part of it. He’s quite a bit older than Justin. It was all a big mess at the beginning … from what I’ve been told.”

“That’s too bad,” Curtis said.

“Let’s get some more punch,” JR piped up deciding the discussion was getting way too serious.

They walked over to the punch table for some more refreshments. Curtis watched how Gus got his punch and then grabbed some canapés off a tray that went by carried by one of Emmett’s servers. Curtis hoped that some day he would be able to do that as gracefully as his friend did.

“Hey, Curtis, JR, you didn’t get anything to eat,” Gus observed as he finished stuffing the delectable morsel in his mouth. “You have to be fast. The servers tend to ignore us kids. But I can fix that.” JR and Curtis watched Gus go over to Emmett.

“What’s he doing?” Curtis asked.

“You’ll see,” JR said with a laugh.

Emmett and Gus disappeared for a minute and then Gus reappeared with two plates, one in each hand, laden with all different kinds of canapés.

“Here we go,” Gus said handing one plate to Curtis. “Dig in.” Gus held his plate out to JR who nabbed a couple of canapés for herself.

“This is great,” Curtis said with a smile as he ate a couple of the hors d’oeuvres. “They’re delicious. Thanks, Gus.”

“Don’t kid yourself, Curtis,” JR giggled. “Gus wasn’t looking out for us. He just wanted some more for himself.”

“Hey, you’re not supposed to give away all my secrets,” Gus joked, as he stuffed more food in his mouth before sharing with JR again.

“And I thought he was being really nice,” Curtis chuckled.

“It’s all a façade. Gus is really selfish,” JR giggled.

“You will pay for that, oh sister mine.”

“I know,” JR laughed. “But I just couldn’t resist. You know I love you.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Gus’ cheek.

“Yeah, I know. That’s why I never stay mad at you for long,” Gus said shaking his head at the manipulations of his sister.

“It must be nice to have a brother or sister,” Curtis observed.

“Oh, maybe fifty percent of the time,” Gus teased.

“I think that’s way too high a percentage, more like twenty,” JR said giving back as good as she got.

“You guys are so lucky,” Curtis said.

“Yeah, we are,” they both said in unison, smiling at each other to show that they were just kidding about the percentages.

“If you want a brother or sister why don’t you talk to Dr. Raph and Hector about it?” Gus teased Curtis. “Maybe they could adopt another kid.”

Curtis looked thoughtful for a moment and then he grinned. “Naw, I think I like being the only one, at least for now.”

“Right on,” Gus said. “Then you don’t have to share.”

“Asshole,” JR laughed and elbowed her brother in the ribs. She knew Gus would do anything for her, but it was fun pretending they didn’t get along.

 

*****
 

“So which painting is your favorite, Bree?” Craig asked as the paintings continued to revolve in front of them.

“That one,” Bree said pointing to one of her and her father making a snowman outside the cottage.

“You like yourself in that painting?” Craig asked with a smile.

Bree nodded. “And my Dada is there. I like making snowmen with my Dada.”

Craig frowned. Several of the pictures had Brian and Bree in them, although many didn’t. He hated that there was only one painting that included Justin, but he supposed that it was easier for Justin to paint other people than himself.

“Which one is your favorite?” Justin asked as he came over to his father and daughter.

Craig looked at his son. “I like this one,” Craig said as the one of Justin and Bree revolved past them.

Justin smiled. “A portrait of the Taylor side of the family.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m glad you came tonight.”

“Susan insisted,” Craig said and then noted the hurt look that flitted across Justin’s face. “But you have done some fine work here, son,” Craig added. “You’re quite an artist.”

Justin beamed at his father. “Thanks.”

“You’re getting so heavy, Briana,” Craig said as he set his granddaughter down.

“I’m a big girl now.”

“Yes, you are,” Craig said, as Bree scampered away to join Gus and get some punch. “She’s growing up so fast.”

“Yes, she is,” Justin agreed. “You could spend more time with her if you want, you know.”

“I … I appreciate that,” Craig stammered. He did want to spend more time with Briana, but he didn’t want to spend any time with Brian Kinney. That man was always the stumbling block.

“We’re having a party closing night of my show. You could come to that,” Justin offered.

“Could I?”

Justin wasn’t sure how his father meant that question. Was he asking if Justin was really serious that Craig should attend? Or was he asking if Brian would allow it? Or was he asking Justin to persuade him to come to the party? Whatever the question, Justin decided on his answer. “Sure,” he said.

“I’ll … think about it,” was Craig’s non-committal answer.

Justin dipped his head and turned to walk away.

“Daddy,” Bree said, slowly approaching carrying a glass of punch. “Gus said I should bring you this.” She carefully extended the glass to her father.

“Thanks, sweetheart, I was getting thirsty.”

Bree bobbed her head. “Me too. It’s hot in here.”

Justin smiled at his precocious daughter and took a sip of the punch. It did taste good.

“Gampa,” Bree said. “You thirsty? I get you punch.”

“That … that would be lovely, Bree. Thank you.”

Bree skipped back across the room. Justin and Craig watched her instruct her brother to get her another glass of punch.

“She’s really something,” Craig said.

“Yep,” Justin agreed.

“You’ve done wonders with her.”

“She’s also Brian’s daughter, Dad,” Justin felt obliged to add. “He has a lot to do with how she’s turned out.”

Craig slowly shook his head. Brian Kinney would always be a bone of contention between them. Craig saw him as a sexual predator who had corrupted his young son, and Justin saw Brian as a kind and generous man with whom he had built a life and had a family. The two opposing views of the same man showed no signs of merging any closer.

“I better get back to my public,” Justin said as Bree returned with punch for her grandfather.

Craig took the glass from Bree and sipped. “Did you get some punch for yourself, Bree?”

“Yeah, Gus gave me some first.”

“Gus, that’s your half-brother,” Craig observed glancing over at the young lad who looked so much like his father.

“No, Gampa,” Bree said seriously. “Gus is my whole brother. I love all of him and he loves of all of me.”

And there was no more to say about that.
 

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